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Teaching Online Certificate Program

Online teaching and learning has become a major focus for K-12 school districts, higher education institutions and corporate training. In response, the School of Education and Social Sciences at Robert Morris University has designed a new, graduate-level Teaching Online Certificate program specifically targeted for K-12 and Higher Education faculty who teach in online, distant or cyber education settings. The program, while free standing as a certificate program in online teaching, offers participants the option to earn their M.S. in Instructional Leadership (IML) online with the completion of an additional 18 credits through the existing program

The 15-credit Teaching Online Certificate program meets the increased demand for trained teachers and faculty of K-12 schools and higher education to deliver high quality education within an online teaching environment. This program provides participants with the knowledge and skill to properly develop, teach, and assess students in the online environment. Integrating both the technological capabilities and the pedagogical opportunities that exist within the online teaching arena, this program provides an engaging interactive learning experience for participants.

Upon completion of the certificate program, participants will be prepared to effectively design and teach online courses using a Learning Management System (LMS) in distant or cyber education settings.

The Teaching Online Certificate Program is a 15-credit program that includes a five-course sequencetaught as a completely online program, culminating in a certificate from Robert Morris University indicating a competency in developing and teaching online courses.

Foundations of Online Teaching and Learning – introduces the fundamental teaching concepts using technology-based instruction to teach distance learning and online courses. The theories, concepts, and practices introduced are equally applicable to higher education, corporate training, and learning in general. Blending these target learners, participants go on to design instructional pieces that take full advantage of their population's learning strengths and help their audience master the material and objectives being offered.

Advanced Techniques in Online Instruction builds upon the fundamental concepts and structures of online teaching and learning. This course addresses the advanced teaching and learning applications of an LMS. Participants will develop advanced pedagogies: narrated online lectures, cooperative learning, online debates, interactive assignments and activities, and both synchronous and asynchronous facilitation techniques. The course will focus on the advanced technological features of an LMS and how to facilitate online structures for effective online classroom management. Discussions will also focus on the use of blended learning techniques that enhance learning in higher education, training and development and Pre-K-12 settings.

Methods of Online Assessment focuses on the use of formative and summative assessment in the online environment. The concepts of validity, reliability and fairness will be briefly reviewed. Course content will focus on the following topics, specifically related to their use in the online environment: best practices for designing and developing performance-based assessments and selected response items/tests; development and use of scoring criteria and grade books; and use of self, peer, and instructor provided feedback. This course addresses advanced assessment options available in an LMS as well as prevention of plagiarism in the online environment using packages such as TurnItIn and SafeAssign. Basic knowledge of assessment related concepts is assumed.

Special Topics in Online Instruction provides the student with an introduction to a number of special topics related to the planning, developing, and implementing of an online course. The content of the course changes over time to meet the ever changing impact of technology. Examples of topic areas that may be addressed include current issues related to distance education, video conferencing, use of webinars, social networking as a teaching tool, use of specialized software and emerging technologies in conjunction with Learning Management Systems (LMSs), how to choose an appropriate LMS for specific environments, and blended learning concepts. The course provides opportunities for students to engage in discussion, research current issues related to distance education, and apply new technologies & software.

Online Instruction Practicum servesas a culminating activity for the RMU certificate in Online Instruction. Using the skills and knowledge developed throughout the program, students will develop and create an online course for use in their own area of expertise. Student’s needs, interests and work setting will determine the venue for the online course of study. Depending upon work settings, students can choose to develop an online course in higher education, Pre-K to 12 or in a corporate training and development setting.

The Teaching Online Certificate program will give you a valuable credential that indicates you have the skills to teach students effectively in a distance education environment. Opportunities for cyber teachers are growing both at the kindergarten through Grade 12 level and in higher education. Students in the program will gain experience in all aspects of online learning including development, delivery, and assessment.

The School of Education and Social Sciences faculty is comprised of caring individuals who accept the responsibility for educating the "whole" student at RMU. Consequently, our faculty members are specialists in their areas of expertise who effectively implement sound instructional practices when teaching and just as importantly, they engage students in a variety of purposeful enrichment activities outside the classroom setting. As all faculty possess related work experience as practitioners in the field, such as principals, superintendents, teachers, researchers, authors, psychologists, counselors, etc., students learn from them first-hand what it takes to succeed.

RMU graduate tuition rates are competitively set within the western Pennsylvania region. Also, many of our students find that their employers are willing to help pay for all or a portion of the cost of attendance, so we have procedures for third-party and delayed billing to meet the requirements of your human resources department. In addition, graduate students are eligible for student loans, and a there are a few graduate assistant positions available each year.

Ultimately, your graduate degree is an investment in your lifetime earnings and career path. The national data is clear: Those who own master's and doctoral degrees, on average, earn significantly more than those with a baccalaureate or less. And, those with advanced degrees report higher job satisfaction and upward mobility within their chosen professions.